salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. A typical house costs about 6.9 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are long, about 30.5 minutes each way.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $111,000 a year. That is $53 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 450 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Compton?
Share of households by yearly income. 26.1% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Compton
| Size | Compton | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,236 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,366 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,853 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,212 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,247 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Compton overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Compton, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Compton
Life in Compton
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Compton?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,251 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $580,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $58,020 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Compton, CA?
Renting in Compton costs a median of about $2,775 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Compton?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $111,000 a year, or $53 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Compton cheap or expensive?
Compton is rated Expensive: rent takes 39.4% of the typical household income of $84,625. It ranks 450th cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Compton?
The median homeowner in Compton pays $4,358 a year in property taxes, about 0.75% of the median home value.
Is Compton more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Compton?
The median home value in Compton is $580,200, about 6.9 times the typical yearly household income.
92,698 people live in Compton. Numbers are typical (middle) values.